Mike G's Workspace.

[DavidB]

I'd really encourage you to grab the bull by the testicles and have a go at the sides. I plastered the outside of the cage in solder - you will need to put the rear cage in before you do this. Then I plastered the cage in Powerflux. The advatage of using this...it doesn't run away when the model is turned up straight. Then placed the 'skin' on the beast. Made sure that at least 2 holes liked up at the cab end with the holes in the cage. Next turn the heat up on the iron and sweat the 2 pieces together from the inside of the cage. You are going to need a piece(s) of heat resistant material to press and keep the half etch side in place, either that or have pain resistant fingers . The downside of using Powerflux is the greasy residue. Hot water and Viacal to the rescue.

I am not joking, but might a flame be a better option than a 'hot' iron? Wafting the flame over the metal heats a larger area and I suggest may get a better melting of the solder and hence better adhesion. More even heating should also reduce the possibility of distortion. Look at some of Tim Watson's builds and use of a flame on his 2mm models.

Is Powerflux the same as Powerflow? If so, then I gave it up years ago. I found it really messy and 'demanding' when cleaning up. If it isn't, then . . . ho hum.

 

[Mike Garwood]

I am not joking, but might a flame be a better option than a 'hot' iron? Wafting the flame over the metal heats a larger area and I suggest may get a better melting of the solder and hence better adhesion. More even heating should also reduce the possibility of distortion. Look at some of Tim Watson's builds and use of a flame on his 2mm models.

Is Powerflux the same as Powerflow? If so, then I gave it up years ago. I found it really messy and 'demanding' when cleaning up. If it isn't, then . . . ho hum.

Hi David
Yes it’s the same…my mid-labelling of stuff.

Mike

 

[DavidB]

Yes it’s the same…my mid-labelling of stuff.

You remind me of Ronnie Barker's word - pismonunciation.

 

[Mike Garwood]

State of play with 11 days to go...

Fire box is complete - except the whistles. These cannot go in until the cab front is in place.



The body has had various pieces added and looks the better for them. Cab interior continues to take shape.



And lastly the rear of the engine. That top bit at the back has been on and off more times than I can count. It's not great. Perhaps the steps and handrails will distract from my clumsy build.



Grand parenting duties tomorrow, Weds and Thurs, our lovely boy Harry. Not complaining as I'm Barrow Road bound on Friday. And Saturday, I'm off to the Blaenavon railway to celebrate 40 years of preservation.

Stay safe

Mike

 

[Mike Garwood]

With an hour or so spare this evening I decided to finish the rear of the bunker. Handrails are 0.3 mm wire, found the lamp irons. Now where were the steps. In fact where were any of the steps....Checked my stache boxes/ jam jars in which I've put everything that I've cut off but had no idea what it was for. Nothing, I lie, there where 2 small steps for the bunker sides. Great!

So, a quick search of the Brassmasters price list to see what was available...nothing. Over to Wizard, GWR loco steps - yes - but they are from the Mainly trains school, which have a reputation of being a bit over scaled. Order sent and even more work to do. I may well have wasted my money, but it will save me having to draw them in CAD and be a heck of a lot quicker if they can be used.

I fear that the race is over, as I will not compromise my already low standards. There's now a spot of redecorating to do in the study as most of the walls are now blue.
On the plus side, it's been a fabulously warm day, but I'm still seriously p666666d off!

Stay safe

Mike

 

[jonte]

With an hour or so spare this evening I decided to finish the rear of the bunker. Handrails are 0.3 mm wire, found the lamp irons. Now where were the steps. In fact where were any of the steps....Checked my stache boxes/ jam jars in which I've put everything that I've cut off but had no idea what it was for. Nothing, I lie, there where 2 small steps for the bunker sides. Great!

So, a quick search of the Brassmasters price list to see what was available...nothing. Over to Wizard, GWR loco steps - yes - but they are from the Mainly trains school, which have a reputation of being a bit over scaled. Order sent and even more work to do. I may well have wasted my money, but it will save me having to draw them in CAD and be a heck of a lot quicker if they can be used.

I fear that the race is over, as I will not compromise my already low standards. There's now a spot of redecorating to do in the study as most of the walls are now blue.
On the plus side, it's been a fabulously warm day, but I'm still seriously p666666d off!

Stay safe

Mike

Unfortunately I’m also ‘oh so’ familiar with this scenario, Mike


And you’ve just reminded me that there’s all that decorating I’d postponed until Autumn to face………

Jon

 

[Mike Garwood]

So while I wait for the post to arrive - we seem to have no regular deliveries - I paid a visit to Barrow Road. Another fabulous day. I took with me; A GWR full brake, which has never run anywhere but my plank. It did not disappoint.



The second subject, has been a project that I must have finished but not completed, over 10 years ago. A GWR County - County of Middlesex 1000. I choose the double chimney version. This has already been a proved 0-6-0. The problem has been that I could not get the bogie wheels to move properly. Sometimes they'd move together, then they'd slide as if there was no weight over them. It's been a while since I last looked at this, so I took this with me today to remind myself of the problems I had.

I took the engine out and ran my fingers over the bogie wheels and they seemed to squeak. Out with the oil and a minute or so later back onto the metals. To my utter amazement both sets of wheels turned and continued to turn. Forwards and backwards! Added some power and off she went. Strike me pink and call me Shirley!



That greasy looking stain on the tender - is exactly that - some watered down white spirit should do the trick. The origins of the kit is Falcon brass. The only bits from the kit in the engine are the roof and the footplate - although that had to be altered as it was too long at the front. The rest is a scratch build. Loved every moment of the build. While the engine wound it's way through the yard road, one of the connecting rods decided to come adrift and I lost the locking nut.
A little bit of painting to be done on the bogie and then some very mild weathering. No idea what I'm going to do with this engine as these never ran on the Vale of Neath line. It was destined for Newport MRS project 'Little Mill' but this bit the dust. It does run nicely and it'll be great to see it pull some coaches every now and then.

Onwards and upwards, once the steps arrive!

Stay safe

Mike

 

[simond]

Shirley,

it looks ok to me

atb
Simon

 

[Nick Rogers]

Beautiful work, Mike!

What about a summer Saturday relief? A nice rake of miss-matching stock, with the loco 'borrowed' by the Shed Master for the occasion.

All the best,

 

[Mike Garwood]

Beautiful work, Mike!

What about a summer Saturday relief? A nice rake of miss-matching stock, with the loco 'borrowed' by the Shed Master for the occasion.

All the best,

Cheers Nick - much appreciated. I like the Saturday/holiday special idea!

Mike

 

[Mike Garwood]

Shirley,

it looks ok to me

atb
Simon

In the words of the late great Leslie Neilson, “and don’t call me…”
Fabulous film, if you know, you know.

Mike

 

[Mike Garwood]

Blaenavon Steam Gala.

WOW! What a great day, 6 or 7 engines in steam. Double heading. If you get the chance to support this group - please do. Amazing facilities. So the above is just a glimpse of my day. Even my Grand children were completely blown away...that's how good this was.

Nothing but a totally satisfied punter.

Mike

 

[Herb Garden]

Blaenavon Steam Gala.

WOW! What a great day, 6 or 7 engines in steam. Double heading. If you get the chance to support this group - please do. Amazing facilities. So the above is just a glimpse of my day. Even my Grand children were completely blown away...that's how good this was.

Nothing but a totally satisfied punter.

Mike

That little Caledonia works Barclay is a lovely engine. She was up here at Beamish earlier in the spring

 

[Captain Kernow]

Blaenavon Steam Gala.

WOW! What a great day, 6 or 7 engines in steam. Double heading. If you get the chance to support this group - please do. Amazing facilities. So the above is just a glimpse of my day. Even my Grand children were completely blown away...that's how good this was.

Nothing but a totally satisfied punter.

Mike

Looks like a fantastic day out, Mike. Superb selection of motive power. I'd really go for one of those diminutive Andrew Barclays, if ever a kit or RTR came out...

Interesting how the pair moved in your video. It's true that they didn't crawl along at sub-walking pace (a common enough criticism of some people's shunting speeds on exhibition layouts), but at the same time they ran very smoothly....

I don't think with our models that we can separate 'smoothly' from 'slowly'. If it crawls at a consistently smooth sub-snails pace, then surely it stands to reason that it will also run smoothly at more realistic steam operating speeds?

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

View attachment 195103

That little Caledonia works Barclay is a lovely engine. She was up here at Beamish earlier in the spring

I used to holiday with an Aunt in Kilmarnock. She used to live in Bonnyton just up the hill from the Caledonia works so I saw this engine crossing the road many times. Always kept clean but she was green then.

The works is of course closed now but the building is converted into flats. There is however still a Pug housed in a ‘museum’ room in the building just near where the rails, still, cross the road.

Ian.

 

[oldravendale]

Interesting how the pair moved in your video. It's true that they didn't crawl along at sub-walking pace (a common enough criticism of some people's shunting speeds on exhibition layouts), but at the same time they ran very smoothly....

I don't think with our models that we can separate 'smoothly' from 'slowly'. If it crawls at a consistently smooth sub-snails pace, then surely it stands to reason that it will also run smoothly at more realistic steam operating speeds?

I agree. The smooth running of locos is, of course, desirable but really when starting and slowing down. I remember seeing shunting with Jinties and pannier tanks in my youth and they didn't hang about. It seemed that they'd hook on to some wagons and then open the regulator fully. The same would apply in reverse and it seemed to be a matter of pride to be able to stop from speed exactly where the wagons needed hooking up. Occasionally, not that I ever saw it, there would be a coming together but that was a rarity.

In short I, personally, appreciate seeing locos running smoothly and slowly, but shunting in real life was a quite aggressive exercise.

Brian

 

[JimG]

...I remember seeing shunting with Jinties and pannier tanks in my youth and they didn't hang about. It seemed that they'd hook on to some wagons and then open the regulator fully. The same would apply in reverse and it seemed to be a mater of pride to be able to stop from speed exactly where the wagons needed hooking up.

I saw the same with a Class 27 shunting Oban station in the 70's. "Foot to the floor" in both directions but with no great clash of buffers, so expertly applied brakes. I remember at the time thinking that it could be justification for some of the operation seen at model railway exhibitions.

Jim.

 

[Mike Garwood]

From a personal perspective. I believe building an 0-4-0 is difficult. I’m not talking about clearances - those can be made - I’m talking about weight distribution, balance, accurate meshing of gears and accuracy of quartering.

A friend of mine built a Y2. Minute thing. As the Captain says it may have run well…but would I describe it as smooth - ummm no.
Took off like a Jack rabbit and stopped equally as abrupt. Now this was in the pre-DCC days where these things can be programmed in - to an extent. I believe that building diminutive engines is a greater skill. Less space to work in. Less forgiving when you make a mistake.
I’ve never built a really small engine - the smallest being a pannier! So there is a challenge hanging in the air…

I have to say I’m delighted with the responses to the short video. WT what a wonderful church we are!

Mike

 

[Captain Kernow]

My (very, very limited) experience of firing real steam locos (a very long time ago on a heritage railway) tells me that small locos can also be difficult to fire, especially in terms of building up a fire and getting it to 'take'. Firing up a pannier tank was easy compared with the small industrial 0-4-0...

 

[Giles]

Those small Barclays did have a technique to firing them, though I forget what it was...... they were also a bit prone to waddling down the track at 20mph plus! Certainly I remember regularly watching one of our drivers who was a bit keen on the regulator getting one of the Barclays dancing. The rest of us managed to keep them in more of a straight line......